What is a Dental Implant?

Dental implants have been around for more than 30 years and are the standard of care when replacing a single missing tooth. Implants can also anchor dentures so they don’t move around. If you’ve thought about dental implants but you’re not sure if it’s the best option for you or you have questions about the procedure, read on.

There are many advantages to dental implants, including: 

• Improved appearance and self-confidence. Dental implants look and feel like your own teeth, and can give you back the smile you remember.
• Improved speech and effortless eating. Unlike dentures, dental implants are permanent, so you don’t need to worry about slipping or pain when speaking or chewing.
• Improved comfort. Because they become part of your mouth, implants eliminate the discomfort that can occur with removable dentures.
• Durability and convenience. Implants are very durable and will last many years. They eliminate the care and inconvenience that comes with removable dentures.

Dental implants have a success rate of up to 98 percent, depending on where in the mouth they are placed. With proper oral hygiene, implants can last a lifetime. 

Getting an implant is a simple 6-step process and usually takes 3 visits over a 4 to 6 month period.

1. Evaluation: The dentist will evaluate your teeth, answer any questions and put together a treatment plan.
2. Extraction: If you are replacing a damaged or diseased tooth with an implant, the tooth will need to be removed about two months before the implant is inserted to allow for proper healing.
3. Grafting (if necessary): To ensure success, your dentist will want to make sure you have strong bones and gums to support the implant. If you have bone loss, it may be necessary to do a bone graft to provide the right conditions for the implant to succeed.
4. Insertion of the implant: Once your jawbone is ready, the dentist can attach the implant. You will be given either local or general anesthesia. The base of the implant will be screwed into the jawbone, with a healing cap on it to allow for recovery of the gum tissue before the crown is put on. If you are getting a front tooth replaced, you may be given a retainer with a cosmetic tooth on it to disguise the gap.
5. Application of the crown: Once the implant base has healed, your dentist will remove the healing cap and attach the crown. This may be done in one or two steps, depending on the case.
6. Maintenance: It’s important to keep your teeth clean and healthy to ensure your implant lasts as long as possible. Make sure to brush regularly, floss thoroughly, and continue to do regular check ups with your dentist.

If you want to learn more about dental implants, call the Artistic Dental office at 602.840.5400 to schedule a complimentary consultation with one of our dentists.

The 4 major categories of restorations available for single tooth replacement

If you are facing the decision of dental restoration for a single tooth replacement, you need to understand what your options entail. 

There are four major treatments currently available for single tooth replacement:

1. Bonded (Maryland) dental bridges

2. Cantilevered dental bridges

3. Conventional dental bridges and dental implants

When you are deciding which treatment to undergo, it’s important to discuss with your dentist and not to choose based on the duration of the office visit required, but to choose the treatment option that best fits your dental needs.

Bonded (Maryland) Dental Bridges
These bridges utilize neighboring teeth to run a section of metal along the back of the teeth, and fill a gap with a false tooth. This may be the considered option if the surrounding teeth look great and don’t need restoration. This is not a viable option if you play contact sports or grind your teeth.

Cantilevered Dental Bridges

A cantilevered restoration utilizes a single neighboring tooth to support the missing tooth. This can be considered conservative due to full crowns being used to help support the area. The design is typically useful in replacing missing lateral incisors.

Conventional Dental Bridges

This process uses two or more crowns that hook together to support the area of the missing tooth. The failure rate of these bridges can range from 3 percent to 20 percent over 3-23 years.

Dental Implants

A dental implant is a metal screw (titanium positioned into the bone of the missing tooth. The next step is to make a dental crown on top of the implant. This is the most invasive type due to the possibility of bone grafting to ensure the implant stays connected into the bone, to move neighboring teeth out of the way for an implant.

Making a decision like this can be overwhelming but the dentists and staff at Artistic Dental are here to discuss and explain each process in more detail so you can make an informed decision. Our goal is to work with you to find a solution that is best for you and your dental health, and is aesthetically pleasing.